Thursday, September 16, 2010

These flags are happy flags! I dream of having a big outdoor party and stringing these from tree to tree. I bet they would look quite festive indoors as well. Maybe one of these days, when I get around to figuring out my sewing machine (again) I will make a string of them. They don't look too complicated- that's part of their charm! Easy, effortless, fun and happy!

For our second hike, Matt took us to Eaton Canyon, which is just a little bit North of Pasadena in a town aptly named Altadena. The vegetation was similar to that of Griffith Park: mostly brush and shrubs with some interesting cactus here and there. We didn't see many critters this time apart from a few lizards. There were lots of bird sounds, but not too many visible birds (I am a little slow with the binoculars- by the time I get them out and adjust them and find the spot where I heard the call, the bird is usually long gone).

Mattt and I took the horse trail up towards Henniger Flats. The total hike is 4 miles one way- but we did not go all the way there this time- we went about half way. The horse trail is nothing but up. It switches back and forth over the hill with no flat shady parts to catch your breath. A good workout! The view from the the top of the horse trail was pretty good- but since were not too familiar with that area, we weren't sure what we were looking at. We think maybe it was Burbank. We connected back with the main trail and took it back down. It was so great seeing folks out and about with their dogs (there were a couple of yellow labs that Matt and I fell in love with).

Next time, we want to take the opposite trail to the waterfall. We saw pictures of it in the visitor's center and it looks well worth the trek! Here's the highlights of hike # 2:

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Nothing makes me want to embrace my inner domestic goddess more than one of these frilly frocks from Anthropologie. I am lucky enough to have one of my very own. My BFF Becca got me one for my last birthday. (Thanks Becca!) It calls me to﻿ the kitchen, especially to bake! Which I am hooping to so more of as soon as the weather cools down a little bit. (The kitties get grouchy when we make the house too warm! So does Matt.) My next baking venture is going to be a fluffy lemon bunt cake with a simple homemade icing drizzle. Yum. I better up my hikes to two times a week ;) Maybe I'll try my hand at making a pretty apron myself (you can never have too many, right?). Of course, I'll have to try to figure out my sewing maching again (another shout out to Becca...want another student to tutor??)

I really want to grow an herb garden. Not only are herbs beautiful and aromatic...but you can eat them! I think, once I have proven to myself that I can maintain a thriving magical terrarium, airplant & mini-catcus garden AND revive the small ivy and fern I have, I will reward myself with an herb garden of my very own. I shall name it: mint, basil, rosemary, cilantro and thyme.

While hiking in Griffith Park, I admired the beauty of the dried flowers and sticks- its sounds strange, but the colors and textures or the various died blooms were amazing! I collected a few and brought them home with me (which I have learned now, I don't think I was supposed to do... does it make it better that they were all broken on the ground?) I made a beautiful stick bouquet!

Matt and I have decided to go on a hike together once a week... to reconnect with nature, to each other, (me with my skinny jeans...). The first hike was on September 5th--Griffith Park. Here are the highlights!

Friday, September 3, 2010

Ahhhh. These images evoke feeling of serenity and happiness. I remember swinging on my Grandparent's porch swing when I was little. I swung so much (and not so serenely) that my Grandpa had to put a board behind the swing to keep me from going to high and flying off the porch! These days, I'd like a place like one of these to read, drink some wine, or doze off... or swing way higher than I should...

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Yes, I know Matt wrote this in January, but I still listen to it, or visit the YouTube video about once a week. Not only is it written and performed by my favorite guy, for me, but it is about my favorite place!! So, just in case you haven't yet heard it- or you need to hear it again- here it is!

My Happy Place

A few years ago, I found myself needing a reminder of the lighter things in life... so I created this blog. It's a collection of things that make me happy-- the special places I've been, or want to visit, the people and animals that I love most, the books and foods and homey things that make me smile. Additionally, it is platform for me to share the excitement and hiccups of being an American expat in Edinburgh, Scotland!

May your days be Happy and your Dreams come true!

Who am I?

I am an American woman who moved from Los Angeles, California to Edinburgh, Scotland with my husband and our 3 cats (yes, you read that correctly!). I love to travel & eat & sing songs & knit & move slugs off of sidewalks so they don't get squished by big human feet.

I also think that life is what you make of it, and I'm trying to make mine awesome.